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A Learning Community Committed to International Understanding,
International College Honors Ghandi Peace Prize winner On October 11 at 11 AM in the Henry B. du Pont III Tower College, the International College is pleased to honor Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne who will be recognized as a Fellow of the International College of the University of Bridgeport. Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne has played a key role in pacification efforts between Tamils and Cenhalese populations in Sri Lanka where civil war and terror have continued for decades. In 1958 Dr. Ariyaratne founded Sarvodaya, a community based movement inspired by Gandhian thoughts and the Sri Lankan buddhist tradition. In 1996 he was awarded the International Gandhi Peace Prize by the Government of India. Other awardees include Nelson Mandela, Vaclav Havel, and Archbiship Desmond Tutu. Dr. Ariyaratne’s American Executive Director is Mr. Shisir Khanal. Shisir graduated from the University of Bridgeport’s International College in International Political Economy & Diplomacy in 2003. He went on to earn a Masters degree in International Affairs at the University of Wisconsin.
Gandhi Peace Prize Winner Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne spoke at UB on October 11, 2007 In describing the work of Sardovaya, Shisir, a native of Nepal who has also worked for the United Nations in pacification efforts in that country describes the work as follows: The movement has inspired several grassroots initiatives around the world including the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Sarvodaya's work ranges from early childhood development, education, economic development to sustainable peace building. Currently, millions of Sri Lankans are directly affiliated with Sarvodaya activities through over 7,000 pre-schools, more than 12 orphanages and children homes, over 4,500 legally independent Sarvodaya Shramadana Societies, 103,000 young Shanti Sena (peace brigade) members, and about a million Sri Lankan who use Sarvodaya's micro-finance services. Sarvodaya activities are based on the spiritual foundations of love, compassion and welfare of all; the movement relies on local resources and empowers people in villages to solve the challenges they face in the community.
International Education Week (November 11-17) The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education initiated International Education Week in November 2000 to encourage American students to consider overseas study and language study. UB has been active since the inception of the Program. This year’s International Educatin Week (November 11-17) will feature cultural and educational programs across campus. Organizing clubs include the International Awareness Club and the Multicultural Club. One of the featured speakers will be Mr. Peter Nathan who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of PWN Exhibicon International, LLC in Westport. He will be speaking at 11 AM on Tuesday November 13 at the University on his experiences in opening trade exhibitions in Cuba and Libya. Board members and all friends of the University as well as students are welcome to attend. Peter W. Nathan of PWN Exhibicon International to speak at UB on November 13, 2007.
UB Martial Arts Continue to Win National and Regional Awards Students in the Martial Arts Studies program at the University of Bridgeport continue to compete in national tournaments and to make their mark.
UB Martial Arts is the first program of its kind in the US. Recent successes include the following:
1. Joe Darin, a Sophomore in the Martial Arts Program competed in this summer’s U.S. Open Martial Arts Tournament where he placed second in Soft style traditional weapons and his team placed second overall in the competition. In the New England Open Martial Arts Tournament, Joe placed first in the soft style traditional weapons competition and his team placed first in the team demonstration. 2. Hyung Min Jun, also a Sophomore, participated this summer’s 2007 Korean American Sports Festival where he placed third in Taekwondo Sparring. 3. Hyuk Lee, a Senior in the Martial Arts Studies program placed first in the 140-150 Judo Sparring division in August 2007 in the Nineteenth Annual Nutmeg State Judo Tournament.
International Students intern for the UN and the US Government International College students have recently received excellent internships and jobs with several international organizations:
UB Students at the United Nations General Assembly (2006)
1. Aaron Barabasz, a Senior in International Political Economy, has received an internship this Fall at the U.S. Department of State where he is assisting in the training of new U.S. foreign service recruits in economics. 2. Louise Lisboa, a Junior in International Political Economy and Diplomacy is only 17 years old. She comes to UB from Housatonic Community College. This summer she served as a Page in the House of Representatives and has been invited back for a second summer in 2008. 3. Jorge Bustamente, who graduated in International Political Economy in December 2006 has been given an internship at the United Nations. He was also offered an internship at the Organization of American States.
This past summer International Political Economy and Diplomacy Professor Zhiqun Zhu and Mass Communication Professor Yanmin Yu were both awarded fellowships to study at the East-West Institute in Hawaii. This is the second year at the East-West Center for Dr. Zhu. Professor Yu has now been awarded two Fulbright Fellowships and one Freeman Fellowship. Following their visit this past summer, we were approached by the East-West Institute and invited to partner with them in a grant proposal that would bring Southeast Asian students to the University of Bridgeport to study for one semester or for one academic year with support of the United States Department of State. The East-West Center proposal is now complete and is being reviewed by grant agencies.
The University of Bridgeport is one of the Universities that has submitted a formal proposal requesting to be considered by the Ministry of Education of China for the establishment of a Confucius Institute. Such Institutes have already been established in a number of other universities in the United States including the University of Maryland, University of Hawaii, Purdue, Michigan State University, Portland State University and the University of Pittsburgh. These Institutes are established with financial support from the Chinese Ministry of Education and one is to be established in each State. A representative of the New York Education Consular Office visited UB on September 29, 2007 to meet with President Salonen and other members of the faculty and administration of the University. Also Zhejiang Gongshang University which has sent scores of students to the University of Bridgeport in recent years for graduate study in Business joined in the ceremony and has established an alumni relations office at the University.
UB Mass Comm Students First to Recieve Training in SoundView TV's New Digital Facility University of Bridgeport students are the first to receive training in Sound View Community TV’s new, entirely digital facility in downtown Bridgeport under the guidance of Sound View’s training director Ashley Anderson and Soundview President Tom Castelot. The training is expected to serve as the basis for developing educational programs as well as information on University of Bridgeport programs and activities that will be of service to the broader community. 
Dr. Zhiqun Zhu, a UB analyst and specialist on Asia was one of the commentators for BBC News. He’s an assistant professor of political economy in the International College. The talks involved the two Koreas, China, the US, Japan and Russia.“The U.S. has nothing to offer. South Korea argues that if you give Pyongyang very strong incentives it may consider dismantling, but the US appears unwilling to give anything,” Dr Zhu said.
Zhu spent the past summer doing research on U.S.-North Korean relations at the East-West Center in Hawaii. He was chosen as a POSCO fellow and in October he did a presentation to faculty on the findings of his research which was later published by the Korean Times. Free Asia Radio Interviews Dr. Yu Yanmin Yu was interviewed on December 1, 2006 by Free Asia Radio together with People's Daily's senior sports journalist on China's recent decision to allow foreign correspondents to freely cover the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The rules will take effect beginning of 2007 and end on October 17, 2008, after the Paralympics.
Chair of Martial Arts invites all for China tour on Martial Arts theme We will be taking a 15-day tour of China -- the sun source of martial arts -- highlighting the importance and health benefits of kung-fu as well as major sights of cultural interest. In the company of World Heavyweight Taichi Champion Stephen Watson and Chinese movie star/7th- Degree Kung-fu Black Sash Vincent Lyn, we will discover the true, balanced, nature of martial arts through visits to the famed Shaolin Temple as well as its historical rival on the Wu Tang (Wudang) Mountain. In addition, we will be exploring the nature of Chinese medicine, music, calligraphy, and cuisine in Beijing, Luyang, and the Gold Summit of Emei Mountain. Finally, we will visit dazzling Hong Kong, where martial art movie expert Ric Meyers and leading local casting director Mike Leeder will present the vibrant world of martial art filmmaking with its stars and studios.
Dr. Rubenstein speaks on impact of changes in immigration trends Professor Richard L. Rubenstein will speak on the ways that changes in the immigration trends may impact foreign policy in the Middle East. On Nov. 17th, 9:00am in Room 252 Carlson hall. The session will be chaired by Professor Clement Malin. This is the third of a series of talks on ways in which the Middle East will evolve over the next 25 years.
Dr. Zhu presented on North Korea's Nuclear Threat Dr. Zhiqun Zhu spoke with faculty of the International College on the threat of North Korea's proliferation of nuclear weapons. Dr. Zhu and other faculty concurred that there's a need to engage North Korea in direct talks. He also noted that the North Korean test had placed China in a very difficult situation because it created a distance between the two countries. And it also placed China at a distance with the US that wanted China to do even more to address North Korea's intransigence. This event took place on October 11, 2006.
Dr. Healey presents Conflict Analysis Model Dr. Stephen Healey, Director of the Program in World Religions, will present the conflict analysis model he is developing on Wednesday November 15th. The model has implications for fostering dialogue and conflict resolution, especially in disputes that have roots in religious differences. Professor Healey recently returned from a global congress in Quebec, Canada entitled “World’s Religions after September 11th,” where he also spoke on this topic. Professor Healey also teaches a regular course in the International College on Religion, Conflict Analysis, and Mediation.
Dr. Setton returned from seminar and tour to China Dr. Mark K. Setton returned in late August from a seminar and tour that he conducted together with his wife, Mrs. Sung-sook Setton, on the landscapes of China. Mrs. Setton is an accomplished artist and she teaches oriental waterpainting in Long Island, NY where the Settons reside.
Dr. Benjamin welcomed as new Assistant Professor for IPE The International College welcomes Professor Dave O. Benjamin, new Assistant Professor of International Political Economy. Dr. Benjamin comes to UB from the University of Connecticut where he was teaching political science. Dr. Dave Benjamin holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, UK. He was previously on the faculty of St. George’s University where he was instrumental in setting up the Liberal Studies programme at the School of Arts and Sciences. He has held a Visiting Professorship at the Political Science Department of University of Connecticut.
Dr. Skott welcomed as new Assistant Professor, Social Sciences Department Chair The International College welcomes Dr. Beth Skott. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut. Her doctoral dissertation, “Rooting For Laundry: An Examination of the Creation and Maintenance of A Sport Fan Identity” examined the ways in which individuals develop and maintain identities as fans of sports teams. After receiving her degree she served as faculty in the Pediatrics Department at the University of Connecticut Medical School, where she managed a grant examining Connecticut’s Behavioral Health System. She also served as the director of research at the Gesell Institute for Human Development. In addition, she has taught a wide range of Sociology courses at the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University and Central Connecticut State University.
Miguel Arroyo is leading UB's Model UN team with the National Japanese Delegation Miguel Arroyo will once again lead the UB's Model UN team. This year the university will be representing the Democratic Republic of Congo. This year, the University has been invited to partner with the Japanese National Model UN team. In Spring 2006, our team was recognized for outstanding position papers and the Japanese National Model UN team partnered with Austin College in Texas and they also won an award for their excellent performance. The team is working very hard to do well in the coming year. A number of the positions have been determined by competition, but a couple of positions are still undecided. If you have a strong interest and talent in this area, you are encouraged to apply by emailing marroyo@bridgeport.edu.
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